IPL 2025: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season nears, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is gearing up with a fresh squad and a new leader. With Rajat Patidar taking over the captaincy, RCB hopes to turn their fortunes around and end their long-standing title drought. The franchise took an aggressive approach in the IPL 2025 auction, securing big-name players and promising talents to strengthen their squad.
RCB retained three key players Virat Kohli (Rs 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore), and Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore) before entering the auction with a massive Rs 83 crore purse, the second-highest among all teams.
IPL 2025 – RCB Squad Overview
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner | United Spirits Limited (USL) |
| Coach | Andy Flower |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Captain | Rajat Patidar |
RCB’s IPL Journey So Far
The Legacy of RCB
- Established in 2008, RCB has always been one of the most followed franchises in the IPL.
- Known for aggressive batting lineups, they hold the record for the highest (263) and lowest (49) totals in IPL history.
- RCB has reached the IPL final three times (2009, 2011, 2016) but fell short each time.
- Virat Kohli, the face of RCB, has been the leading run-scorer in IPL history.
Recent Performances & Playoff Appearances
- 2020, 2021, and 2022: RCB secured playoff berths in three consecutive seasons, signaling a resurgence.
- 2023 & 2024: Despite strong performances, RCB failed to progress beyond the group stages.
- 2025: The team has undergone major restructuring, including releasing key players and acquiring new talent.
The New Era Under Rajat Patidar
With Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell released, RCB is embracing a fresh leadership approach. Rajat Patidar’s appointment as captain signals a new direction, alongside Virat Kohli’s continued presence as a batting stalwart.
Also Read:
- IPL 2025 Mumbai Indians (MI) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Rajasthan Royals (RR) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Gujarat Titans (GT) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals (DC) Players List and Squad Team
- IPL 2025 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Players List and Squad
- IPL 2025 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Team Players List and Squad
IPL 2025 RCB Team: Full Player List
RCB made aggressive moves in the IPL 2025 auction, targeting experienced international stars and emerging domestic players.
Retained Players Before the Auction
| Player Name | Price (INR Crore) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Rs 21 crore | Batsman |
| Rajat Patidar | Rs 11 crore | Batsman (Captain) |
| Yash Dayal | Rs 5 crore | Bowler |
Players Bought at the IPL 2025 Auction
| Player Name | Price (INR Crore) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Livingstone | 8.75 | All-rounder |
| Phil Salt | 11.50 | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Jitesh Sharma | 11 | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Josh Hazlewood | 12.50 | Bowler |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10.75 | Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma | 2.60 | Spinner |
| Rasikh Dar | 6 | Bowler |
| Krunal Pandya | 5.75 | All-rounder |
| Swapnil Singh | 0.50 | All-rounder |
| Tim David | 3 | All-rounder |
| Jacob Bethell | 2.6 | All-rounder |
| Romario Shepherd | 1.50 | All-rounder |
| Nuwan Thushara | 1.60 | Bowler |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 2 | Batsman |
| Swastik Chikara | 0.30 | Batsman |
| Manoj Bhandage | 0.30 | All-rounder |
| Lungi Ngidi | 1 | Bowler |
| Abhinandan Singh | 0.30 | All-rounder |
| Mohit Rathee | 0.30 | All-rounder |
RCB IPL 2025: Released Players
The franchise made tough calls by parting ways with several established names, including:
- Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj
- Cameron Green, Anuj Rawat, Will Jacks
- Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Mahipal Lomror
These decisions indicate RCB’s intent to rebuild and strengthen their squad.
RCB’s Best Possible Playing XI for IPL 2025
RCB’s squad is a mix of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent. Based on current form and tactical balance, here’s the probable playing XI:
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Batsman |
| 2 | Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| 3 | Liam Livingstone | All-rounder |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar (C) | Batsman |
| 5 | Krunal Pandya | All-rounder |
| 6 | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| 7 | Tim David | All-rounder |
| 8 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| 10 | Yash Dayal | Bowler |
| 11 | Suyash Sharma | Spinner |
Impact Players: Romario Shepherd / Rasikh Dar
Analysis of RCB’s Strengths and Weaknesses for IPL 2025
Strengths
✅ Power-Packed Batting Lineup: With Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Liam Livingstone, RCB has one of the most explosive batting orders in IPL 2025.
✅ Experienced Bowlers: The addition of Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yash Dayal provides RCB with a balanced pace attack.
✅ Spin Bowling Variety: The inclusion of Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya strengthens the spin department.
✅ Dynamic All-rounders: Players like Tim David, Krunal Pandya, and Romario Shepherd provide batting and bowling depth.
Weaknesses
⚠️ Unproven Captaincy: Rajat Patidar’s leadership will be under scrutiny as he steps into a big role.
⚠️ Lack of a Solid Indian Middle-Order Option: Heavy reliance on foreign all-rounders could lead to team balance issues.
⚠️ Pace Bowling Backup Concerns: Injury-prone bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar might create challenges.
FAQs About RCB in IPL 2025
Q.1 Who is the captain of RCB in IPL 2025?
A: Rajat Patidar has been appointed as RCB’s captain for IPL 2025.
Q.2 Who are RCB’s wicketkeepers in IPL 2025?
A: Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma will handle wicketkeeping duties.
Q.3 Who are RCB’s key bowlers in IPL 2025?
A: The bowling attack includes Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Dar, Yash Dayal, and Suyash Sharma.
